Top five favourites to win UEFA Champions League 2024-25

Who will be crowned the champion under the new format?

The UEFA Champions League is the biggest trophy that club football has to offer. All the biggest European clubs go head-to-head against each other to claim this prestigious title every year. With a new format, the Champions League is bigger and better than ever.

Instead of 32 teams, this iteration of the competition features 36 teams competing in a league phase. The top eight teams will go straight to the Round of 16 while the other eight will be selected after a knockout round between teams finishing ninth to 24.

Predicting the winners of the UEFA Champions League is very complicated as it does not only depend on playing good football. It takes a lot of mental resilience and the ability to make a difference in the decisive moments of the game to emerge victorious in this tournament.

The competition is always filled with surprises but some teams have already shown this season that they have what it takes to reach the summit of club football. We present to you our top five favourites to win the UEFA Champions League 2024-25.

5. FC Barcelona

The Catalan club are in its rebuilding phase but that has not stopped it from being one of the best-performing clubs in Europe. The appointment of Hansi Flick has worked wonders for the team. Under his guidance, it seems like FC Barcelona have rediscovered its cutting-edge.

The Blaugrana currently sit on top of LaLiga and are emerging as one of the favourites to win this year’s Champions League. Their squad have a perfect blend of experienced veterans and exciting youngsters. The only hurdle they might face this season is their alarming injury record. Some of the club’s best players are either sidelined for an extended period or are coming back from long absences.

4. Liverpool

The Reds are the most successful English club in this competition. They have been crowned Champions of Europe six times in their history. The Merseyside club have continued to perform well this season even after the departure of their legendary manager, Jürgen Klopp. Arne Slot has done a great job of bringing the best out of this Liverpool side.

The Club are currently on top of the Premier League with six wins in their opening seven games. They are also unbeaten in the Champions League which makes them one of the favourites to be crowned champions at the end of the campaign.

3. FC Bayern Munich

The 2023-24 season was the club’s first trophyless season in over 12 years. When the board signed Vincent Kompany as their new manager, quite a few eyebrows were raised. Previously, Kompany was in charge of Burnley, who ended up getting relegated, leaving everyone pessimistic about his appointment.

However, the Belgian has managed to surprise everyone with the impressive work he has done with the German giants. Currently unbeaten in Bundesliga they are emerging as one of the challengers for the crown of UEFA Champions League.

2. Real Madrid

The most decorated club in football history and the reigning UCL winners, Real Madrid are second on our list. They have started their season on an underwhelming note but you can never bet against them in this competition. Los Blancos have a sense of inevitability whenever they are playing in the UEFA Champions League, and this season is no exception.

Managed by one of the most successful managers of all time, Carlo Ancelotti, and having players like Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham and more makes this team the title contender for this season as well.

1. Manchester City

The rise of Manchester City has been one of the biggest football stories of the 21st century. Under Pep Guardiola, the club have dominated the English Premier League by winning four back-to-back league titles. However, the club had to go through many setbacks to win their first Champions League.

After numerous heartbreaks in the late 2010s and early 2020s, City were finally crowned the Champions of Europe in 2023. The club made more history that season as they became only the second English club to win the European treble. Considering their squad depth and experience to compete at the highest level, we say they are the ultimate favourites to win the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League title.

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